Beekeeping and the Law in DC

Beekeeping was more widely legalized in DC with the Sustainable DC Act of 2012, creating expanded opportunities for legal, responsible beekeeping in Washington. Beekeeping is overseen by the DC Department of the Environment (DDOE). Published in late August 2015, you can review the regulations regarding beekeeping at http://tinyurl.com/oedhnxm.

Would-be beekeepers should become familiar with these regulations before planning to get bees. Key requirements include:

To get permits before moving bees, combs, woodenware, or anything that has contained brood into DC

To be inspected at city discretion

To keep bees on movable frames (Langstroth, TBH, or Warré)

No more than four hives per quarter acre

Water source must be provided

Hives must be set back more than 15 feet from a property line, or have a regulation flyway barrier or annual neighbor permission

The beekeeper is responsible for remediation of bee swarms and nuisance conditions.

DOEE is willing to inspect and certify apiary sites in advance

If you receive notice that your apiary is not currently compliant, we invite you to reach out the community for helping hands and possibly tools to get your site set up right. You are not in this alone.